An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Hecht

by Friedrich Kluge

Hecht, m., ‘pike,’ from the equiv. MidHG. hęchet, hęcht, OHG. hęhhit, hahhit, m.; comp. OSax. hacud, AS. hacod, hœced, m., ‘pike’; a West Teut. word connected with OHG. and MidHG. hęcken, ‘to pierce,’ mentioned under Hechel. On account of its pointed teeth the pike is called the ‘piercer.’ Comp. E. pike, Fr. brochet, ‘pike,’ from broche, ‘spit,’ Scand. gedda, ‘pike,’ allied to gaddr, ‘prickle.’